{My thoughts} – This is a new series to me through the Branches beginner chapter books that have been released through Scholastic. I wasn’t quite so sure about it because at first glance it appears to be a book geared more specifically towards boys. However, I quickly learned that the story within the pages can be geared towards both boys and girls as long as they are interested in reading about an adventure.

Tag is an owl that dreams to be one of the owls of Valor. He wants to be able to fight for the animals and do what he feels is right and brave. Him and his friend Skyla end up going on a mission to save an egg from some bats that are very bad. They work with a Vulture names Thorn and Thorn is after a stone called the Ember Stone. The egg they rescue happens to hatch and out pops a baby Firehawk, the last of its kind. According to the story the Firehawk, that becomes known as Blaze, is the only animal that can actually locate the stone.

Eventually, Tag, Skyla and Blaze go on an adventure to try and find it before Thorn can. If you’d like to know what happens you’ll need to read the book.

I really enjoyed this story and the illustrations that go along with it. I am sure that and child that enjoys reading about animals and adventures will also enjoy the book and it’s series. ( )

Geared more for 1st-2nd grade level, but just saying, my then-3rd grader got her middle school brother to read along in this series with her. A fun fantasy adventure.

Recommended by cousin Cordelia.

The owls of Perodia are threatened by the vulture Thorn; small owl Tag and his friend, Skyla the squirrel, rescue the egg of the last firehawk, which might be the salvation of Valor Wood.

We read the first book aloud together; L read the rest of the series herself. It's not my favorite - I couldn't get past the silliness of owls wearing armor and carrying weapons (no thumbs!) to get invested into the journey, but L loved it. ( )

Fun fantasy for elementary ( )

There's a limited number of fantasy books for beginning chapter readers. Mostly they tend to involve fairies and lots of sparkly glitter. Epic fantasy, not so much. However, Scholastic's Branches imprint was extremely successful with their Dragon Masters series by Tracey West (I don't know about your library, but I had to buy multiple copies and referee fights over the remaining titles!) and apparently decided to branch out into an animal fantasy, a la Warriors, in this latest series The Last Firehawk.

The story begins with an introduction: The fantasy is set in the land of Perodia, where the Owls of Valor fight against the evil vulture, Thorn, who is using the Shadow to destroy the land. Tag, a young owl who is smaller than the others, tries hard to live up to his dream of being an Owl of Valor. Appropriately, a classic fantasy map is also included.

Tag and his friend Skyla, a squirrel, rescue a mysterious egg from the evil tiger-bats, servants of Thorn. When the egg hatches, they discover it contains a firehawk, long thought to be extinct. Once upon a time, the firehawks had magic that could defeat Thorn and his Shadow, but their magic was contained in a gem which has since disappeared. Tag, Skyla, and the firehawk, named Blaze, set out on a quest to find the magical jewel.

Digital black and white illustrations are on every page. Most of the animals look "normal", excepting the weird tiger-bats, but the owls wear armor, as does Skyla at times. Some of the art is blurred and the faces a little distorted. This is very classic animal fantasy; owls and squirrels are "good", vultures and bats are "bad". There is a magical map, legends, and a dangerous quest for a magical artifact. The hero (male of course) is the smallest and yearns to be part of a group of "knights" but ends up proving himself in a different way. However, just because it may seem old hat to a regular fantasy reader doesn't mean young readers new to the genre won't enjoy it. The story moves quickly and is written smoothly and briskly, with just enough peril to keep the story interesting. There are gentle lessons about working with your strengths, accepting the help of friends, and trying even when things seem hopeless.

Verdict: I think the art does the story a disservice; I don't expect it will be as popular as Dragon Masters because of the lack of art and human characters to relate to. However, it was a good story; even I want to find out what happens next! Recommended to add to your Branches collection.

ISBN: 9781338122138; Published September 2017 by Scholastic; Purchased for the library